Terri Reed - Protect And Serve

Earl held up a hand. “So far no one heard any shots fired or saw anyone come or go from the center.”

“Has anyone turned in the missing puppy?” Gina asked.

“Unfortunately, no,” the chief replied.

Gina’s arms wrapped around her middle as if holding herself together. The tender skin beneath her eyes appeared bruised from fatigue and her face was pale.

Empathy twisted in Shane’s gut, despite his need to stay emotionally detached. First being attacked in her house by her crazed brother, then stumbling upon Veronica’s dead body. It was obvious she loved the animals she worked with and they loved her, if Bella’s actions were any indication. No doubt the thought of the little German shepherd puppy running loose outside where wildlife could prey on it weighed heavily on Gina’s slim shoulders.

“Was Sophie able to determine if the other two puppies were chipped?” Gina asked.

“They were,” Earl replied. “Chipped and registered to Veronica with the training center’s address just as we’d expect.”

“Hopefully, someone will pick up the pup and take him to the vet,” Gina said. “If Veronica was able to get him chipped then the vet will find the chip and contact the center.”

“I’ll give the vet a heads-up,” the chief said.

Bucks returned a few moments later. “I got a partial. I’ll run it through IAFIS.”

Shane hoped the FBI’s national fingerprint database would provide a visual of Tim Perry. Or whoever had handled the arrow. Shane struggled to believe no one had known Gina had a brother to begin with, let alone one who was a criminal. Was the shooter the same person who’d killed Veronica? Or was there more than one villain running around Desert Valley? That seemed too much of a stretch.

“Let’s finish our discussion in my office,” Earl said, ushering Shane, Bella and Gina inside.

The chief had just settled into his chair behind his desk when there was a knock on the doorjamb. James and Hawk entered the office, looking grim.

Shane gave him a questioning look.

James shook his head. “Hawk tracked a scent but lost it on a street two blocks away from Gina’s house. The shooter must have jumped into a car and taken off.”

“Did you get a look at the archer?” Earl asked.

“No, never caught a glimpse of him,” James said.

Earl looked at Shane. “But you’re sure it was her brother?”

“Hard to say without confirmation,” Shane said. “But without any other suspects...”

The chief considered him a moment. “Okay.” He focused on Gina. “Where will you be staying? Obviously you can’t return to your home until we have your brother in custody.”

“Sir, Gina is going to move into the empty room at the rookies’ condo,” Shane stated. He met Gina’s gaze. She arched one delicate eyebrow. Okay, maybe he shouldn’t have answered for her.

Earl nodded approval. “Good.” He settled his gaze on Gina once again. “We’ll find your brother. Or whoever did this. No one can hide in Desert Valley for long.”

“Thank you, sir.” Her voice was tight. She turned her gaze on Shane. “I’d like to keep the puppies with me if possible.”

The anxiety in her hazel eyes tugged at him. If having the two pups close comforted her, then... “Of course. We’ll swing by the training center and pick them up.”

She gave him a grateful smile as she stifled a yawn.

“You all go and get some rest,” the chief said. “You won’t do anyone any good if you’re too exhausted to be of use.”

Shane escorted Gina from the station. They took James’s truck to the training center. Sophie had crated the puppies and had locked up the center for the night. Gina used her key card to enter the building.

They gathered the puppies and their crates, along with their beds, water and food bowls, and put them in the back of James’s truck. Gina held both pups on her lap during the ride to the condo.

James parked in the carport stall reserved for the rookies’ unit. He grabbed her bag from the back and led the way to the front door. Shane carried the pups’ accoutrements and brought up the rear with Gina and the puppies between them.

Once inside, Shane showed Gina to the room at the end of the short hall. He arranged the crates side by side along the far wall beneath the window facing the queen-size bed covered with a deep burgundy comforter.

Gina set the puppies down on their respective beds and left the crate doors open. They immediately went to sleep, obviously tuckered out from their run in the yard and the move to the condo.

“Shouldn’t you shut the crate doors?” Shane asked.

“I will when I’m ready to go to sleep, but for now I want them to feel safe inside their crates and safe to leave, as well. The crate needs to become their safe haven. Locking them in too soon can be traumatic.”

Her concern for the puppies was touching. Given she’d just lived through a very dramatic and dangerous situation, she was holding it together really well. Assuming she was telling him the truth, which seemed more likely with every passing moment. His admiration and respect for her increased. How had he questioned whether she could be guilty of hurting Veronica?

“The place comes furnished,” Shane explained, to battle the discomforted way she made him feel. “Each room is a suite. Housekeeping launders all the linens between the training sessions. The bedding’s clean and there are towels in the bathroom cabinet.”

“Thank you,” Gina said. “I appreciate all you’re doing for me and the puppies.”

Her teeth tugged on her bottom lip. She looked so vulnerable. Blood surged through his veins and his gut tightened. It was all he could do not to step closer and gather her in his arms. He’d been attracted to her from the beginning, but this was more intense and focused. The disturbing urge had him backing away. The last thing he wanted was to become emotionally attached to this woman. It was one thing to guard her and help her feel safe, and another entirely to want to make her feel cared for.

“I’ll say good-night.” He stepped out of the room and shut the door, blocking her from his view. Now if he could only block her from his thoughts as easily.

* * *

Gina stared at the door. Confusion swirled through her mind. For a moment, she’d seen something in Shane’s expression that had her heart fluttering and her pulse skittering. Interest. There’d been definite interest in his green eyes. Answering attraction flared within her. But then his gaze had shuttered and he’d retreated, leaving her wondering if she’d only imagined the look.

What did it matter? There was no sense in letting herself feel anything for him. For anyone. With her brother back in her life, she was intensely aware that she, too, had the propensity for evil. She shared Tim’s DNA. DNA that could be passed on.

She’d never have the family she longed for. What man in his right mind would want to saddle himself with her?

With sadness filling her heart, she filled the dogs’ bowls with water and placed them on the bathroom floor, and she sank down on the edge of the bed. She dropped her head into her hands.

What a nightmare her life had become. Tim was attempting to follow through on his threat to kill her. She didn’t understand what purpose Tim had for wanting her dead. It wouldn’t change the fact that he was wanted for murdering their father.

That he hadn’t succeeded in killing her so far was a blessing.

It hurt her heart to believe Veronica had died because of her. She had no doubt Tim had killed her boss. What other explanation could there be?

“Oh, Lord, please. I...” She didn’t know what to say or how to pray.

She wanted to ask God to stop her brother, yet the words wouldn’t come. They felt like rocks stuck in her throat. Would God even hear her? She was so used to being disappointed she was afraid to try anymore.